Weekend of firsts as Kendal lose but Ulverston win

KENDAL lost their first game of the season as they travelled through a snow-storm across the Pennines to play Durham University.

Despite a very bright first 15 minutes, Kendal could not break the deadlock and capitalise on their dominance, the Durham keeper repelling two attacks with fantastic saves.

Against the flow of play Durham broke and won a short corner which was duly converted.

Kendal rallied and continued in their attacking style with some good breaks by Nicola Conway and Abby Bland on the right but they failed to add to the scoresheet before half time.

Tireless defensive work from Nicola Martindale and Mel Whalley kept Kendal within one goal and going forward they came close a number of times, hitting the post and repeatedly threatening the Durham goal.

But it was Durham who again scored from a lifted ball in the circle and this left Kendal with too much to do.

The result bunches the top six teams to within one point of each other, with Kendal on top by way of their superior goal difference.

Bowdon are the only other side with 13 points, with City of York, Sheffield Hallam, Chester and Kendal’s weekend conquerors University of Durham 2nds all on 12 points.

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ULVERSTON moved off the bottom of the table as they beat Mossley Hill on Saturday to record their maiden success of the season.

The home team soon took the lead with some slick passing from Karen Tyson and Helene Burrow delivering the ball to Rachael Roberts for the score.

Ulverston were confident and composed throughout the first half, with Katy Walker and the Ulverston defence unflappable and the hosts took the game by the scruff of the neck to lead 3-0 going into the break.

Mossley Hill rallied at the start of the second half and were rewarded for their hard work with a goal from Hannah Cooke but Ulverston responded almost immediately.

Sarah Dodd keeping goal for Ulverston was in superb form all game and a good performance from the home team saw Roberts ending up with four goals, Burrow and Heather Randell also adding their names to the scoresheet.

Ulverston have another massive game next weekend when they take on Northern, who are level on three points with the Furness side.

Kirkby Stephen picked up a 1-1 draw at second placed Formby in a result that keeps them within four points of the league leaders, who share the spoils at the summit of Division Two with Didsbury Greys.

Cumbria Women’s League

SOUTH Lakes were the only side to win on a weather-affected weekend in the Cumbria League.

They triumphed 5-1 at Keswick to move up to third in the table and within two points of Kirkby Lonsdale and Carlisle, who both have 15 points.

Kirkby Stephen 2nds drew 1-1 at Carlisle 2nds, who picked up their first point of the season, while Dalston and Wigton 2nds shared the spoils in a 1-1 tie.